Always a natural with numbers, a newly-hired Michelle Krolikowski figured she’d only teach special education at Madison County Middle School until a math classroom came open.

That was 2001.

Eight years later, Krolikowski, still a special education teacher, is Madison County’s district wide teacher of the year because of her work in that field.

“I truly only intended to teach special ed until a regular ed math position came available,” Krolikowski recalled. “I immediately fell in love with special needs students, though, and cannot imagine teaching anything else.”

A product of the Madison County School System (class of 1997) with degrees from Emmanuel (undergraduate) and Piedmont (graduate), Krolikowski has spent her entire eight-year teaching career at the middle school.

“The kids call her Mrs. K,” MCMS principal Matt Boggs said. “Our sixth grade is really a tight-knit group. I think they were as happy for her as if they won it their self.”

Krolikowski teaches sixth grade classes in both small group settings (where only special needs students are present) and large group settings with a regular education teacher. Boggs said Krolikowski’s math skills come in handy in those larger co-teaching settings.

“It’s hard to tell which one is the math teacher and which one is the special education teacher … It’s neat to watch them interact with each other and the kids when you have two strong teachers up there working together.”

Like any teaching job, Krolikowski notes the challenges of students growing frustrated, overwhelmed or distracted.

But payoff is when she sees her students “get it,” Krolikowski said.

“So many of my students feel that they are not smart because they are served in special ed,” Krolikowski said. “It thrills me to see how proud they are when they realize that they are just as smart as the other sixth grade students.”

Krolikowski was first recognized for her teaching efforts by being named middle school teacher of the year. She was then awarded county teacher of the year at a system-wide meeting Aug. 3.

She was surprised and humbled by both accolades.

“In Madison County, there are many, many wonderful educators who are worthy of the honor, some even more so than me,” she said.

Krolikowski, who’s currently at work on a specialist degree at Piedmont, credits her home life for making her a better teacher. She has a husband, Gage, and two children who provide essential support, she said.

“(Gage) does not mind when I bring work home or stay late at work getting things done,” she said.

Krolikowski adds that her children, ages 7 and 4, “have taught me patience and compassion, which spill over into my job as a teacher.”

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